Michigan Wolverines vs Michigan State Spartans: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Breslin Events Center in East Lansing, MI, USA.

When: Saturday, March 9th at 8pm EST.

How (TV/Radio): ESPN

Michigan Wolverines (Away)

Head Coach: John Beilein {Overall: 26-4, .867 W-L% | Conference: 15-4, T-1st in Big Ten}

The Wolverines are looking to close out their season strong with a road win over their arch-rivals. A victory would guarantee Michigan at least a share of the regular season conference title.

John Beilein’s squad will look to avoid getting swept by Sparty for the first time since 2015, by avenging their 77-70 home loss on February 24th. Junior point guard Zavier Simpson paced the Wolverines with 19 points, while freshman guard Ignas Brazdeikis followed with 16 points in a game where the Maize and Blue shot under 40% from the field.

Prior to this matchup, Michigan emerged victorious at Maryland 69-62 on March 3rd. Brazdeikis poured in 21 points to lead the Wolverines, while his four fellow starters each reached double figures in scoring. The victory was a product of good discipline on offense, as the Wolverines committed just three turnovers all game.

Michigan State Spartans(Home)

Head Coach: Tom Izzo {Overall: 24-6, .800 W-L% | Conference: 15-4, T-1st in Big Ten}

Like their rivals, the Spartans can claim a share of the Big Ten regular season crown with a win on Senior Night. The spotlight will be on Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins, as the senior duo will be playing their final game in East Lansing.

Michigan State would love to cap off their regular season with a win over the Wolverines to complete the season sweep. Junior point guard Cassius Winston led the Spartans in scoring with 27 points to go along with 8 assists, while Goins had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.

In their previous game, Michigan State took down Nebraska 91-76 at home on March 5th. Goins was the top scorer with 24 points on 6 of 9 shooting from beyond the arc, while McQuaid added 22 points.

Michigan Roster Notes

Senior guard Charles Matthews is doubtful to play in this game as he is recovering from a rolled ankle suffered in the earlier game against Michigan State.

Michigan State Roster Notes

Junior guard Joshua Langford is out for the season with an ankle injury suffered

Junior forward Nick Ward is listed as out indefinitely with a hand injury suffered on February 17th against Ohio State.

Junior guard Kyle Ahrens is listed as questionable with chronic back pain stemming from a December 3rd injury against Iowa.

Head-to-Head: Jon Teske vs Xavier Tillman

Jon Teske

Center | 7-1, 260lb (216cm, 117kg) | Medina HS | Medina, OH | Junior

9.8 PPG | 0.8 APG | 6.8 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 2.2 BPG | 0.4 TOV | .516 FG% | .328 3P%

Xavier Tillman

Power Forward | 6-8, 245lb (203cm, 111kg) | Grand Rapids Christian HS | Grand Rapids, MI | Sophomore

9.0 PPG | 1.7 APG | 7.1 RPG | 1.0 SPG | 1.6 BPG | 1.5 TOV | .606 FG% | .227 3P%

The featured matchup for this game will be between two shot blockers who have expanded their offensive roles to make themselves threats on each end of the floor.

Jon Teske has one more year of eligibility remaining and already has cemented himself one of the top interior defenders in Big Ten history. This season’s Big Ten leader in blocks has nearly tripled his scoring output from last year, as he has added a three-point stroke to his repertoire. The 7-footer has also been reliable with the ball in his hands, as he ranks first in the conference in turnover percentage at just 4.5%.

Like Teske, Xavier Tillman has seen his scoring production triple after playing limited minutes last year as a freshman. Much of the increased scoring output is due to injuries on the Spartans, as well as the presence of playmaking point guard, Cassius Winston. Regardless, Tillman has been efficient with the looks he is getting, as his .662 two-point field goal percentage ranks third in the conference. Additionally, his ability to create second-chance points on offense has been an asset, as evidenced by 12.6% offensive rebound rate which also ranks third in the conference.

Michigan at Michigan State Predictions and Odds

The Spartans are listed as 3.5 point favourites by oddsmakers over the Wolverines at home. Meanwhile, the over/under is currently at 135 according to most books.